The only place that is organized is the collection of colors on the large work table.

The colors are organized meticulously.

As lights rise we see HELENA, a respected painter in her late 50’s and NOAH, her apprentice.

HELENA stares at a blank canvas with staggering intensity.

NOAH is staring at HELENA with unclear intensity.

Silence.

HELENA raises her brush and takes a deep breath.

NOAH takes a deep breath that is totally in rhythm with HELENA’s.

NOAH’s eyes grow as they inhale.

Pause.

HELENA deflates.

NOAH deflates with her.

HELENA looks at NOAH.

HELENA: Are you looking at me?

NOAH: Um.

HELENA: Don’t be scared, Noah. Just answer the question. Are you looking at me.

NOAH: Yes.

HELENA: Ok.

HELENA reverts her attention back to the canvas for a split second.

HELENA: Why?

NOAH: Huh?

HELENA: Why were you looking at me.

NOAH: I thought I was supposed to be.

HELENA: Is that so?

NOAH: I thought I was supposed to be learning from you.

HELENA: Hm…

NOAH: Being your apprentice and all…

HELENA contemplates this.

As she contemplates this, NOAH’s anxiety rises.

HELENA: That’s a fair point.

NOAH is back at ease.

HELENA: I’ve never had an apprentice before but you make a fair point. I mean, how else are you to learn from me but to watch me.

NOAH: Exactly.

HELENA: But if your gaze is what’s causing me to stay blank…

NOAH: Oh.

HELENA: Then…

NOAH: Then I’ll look away. Of course I’ll look away.

NOAH looks away.

Pause.

HELENA gives NOAH a smile.

HELENA: I’m kidding.

NOAH: Oh!

HELENA: Of course I’m not going blank because you’re looking at me. What do I look like, a teenage boy with a naked girl for the first time? You’re here to learn from me? Lesson one – although it is always easy to blame something else for your lack of creation, it is always your fault. Write that down.

NOAH grabs his notebook.

HELENA: It is always your fault…

NOAH: Got it.

HELENA: Read it back to me.

NOAH: Although it is always easy to say someone else is the reason your canvas is blank, it is always my fault.

HELENA: … close enough. Now.

HELENA looks at the blank canvas.

A brief silence.

HELENA: Hmmm… I don’t know… What to do, what to do…

HELENA points to the blank canvas.

HELENA: Do you see that?

NOAH: See what?

HELENA: That.

NOAH: … There’s nothing there.

HELENA: Very funny. But of course there is something there. What is this?

NOAH: A canvas?

HELENA: A canvas. And even though it is blank. It is still there. It still exists. So when I point to a canvas and say, “do you see that?” The proper response is not, “There’s nothing there.” The proper response is a can –

NOAH: A blank canvas.

HELENA: … Yes. A blank canvas.

NOAH: What about it?

HELENA: What about it? Ok… you were looking away from me two seconds ago and now you’re asking questions.

NOAH: Sorry.

HELENA: Don’t be sorry. Lesson two – if you’re going to be an artist, be ready to not be sorry for the things you do.

NOAH: Ok.

HELENA: Did you write that down?

NOAH: I will.

HELENA: Good. Repeat it to me.

NOAH: Don’t be sorry for your art.

HELENA: … Better than how I put it. Very good.

NOAH: Thank you.

HELENA: Now. The canvas. The “blank” canvas as you put it.

NOAH: Yes?

HELENA: I have a question for you about the blank canvas.

NOAH: Ok.

HELENA: Are you ready for it?

NOAH: I hope so.

HELENA: Ok. What should I put on it?

Silence.

NOAH: What?

HELENA: You heard me.

NOAH: What should you –

HELENA: Put on the blank canvas. Yes.

NOAH: I don’t –

HELENA: Don’t say that.

NOAH: But it’s your canv –

HELENA: I know that it’s my canvas. I am very aware of what I own, thank you. And I am very aware that I am asking you, my apprentice, the question –what should I put on my blank canvas.

Welcome to The 2018 Project. I will be writing a new play each day of 2018 and posting them here. At the bottom of each of the scripts, you will also find a link to download a PDF of the play. If you are interested in sharing or performing any of these plays individually or in a collection, please click the "Contact" link at the top of the page.